This meeting was scheduled to consider an application for the grant of a new premises licence for St James’s Food Store, 44 St James’s Street, Walthamstow. Representations were received from the Council's Trading Standards and Licensing teams in respect of this application.

Grant of a premises licence - St James's Food Store, 44 St James Street, Walthamstow, E17 7PE

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for the grant of a premises licence for the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises at St James’s Food Store, 44 St James’s Street, Walthamstow, London E17 7PE. The application was made by St James’s Food Store Ltd., whose sole director is Nargis Nazmi Sadak. The applicant's agent was Mrs Aysen Ipek Kilic, a Licensing Consultant at NARTS Consultancy Ltd. The application requested the following hours of operation:

Monday 08:00 23:00 Tuesday 08:00 23:00 Wednesday 08:00 23:00 Thursday 08:00 23:00 Friday 08:00 23:00 Saturday 08:00 23:00 Sunday 08:00 23:00

The application named the proposed designated premises supervisor as Nargis Nazmi Sadak.

Representations from the Licensing Authority

Representations were received from the Licensing Authority in respect of this application. The Licensing Authority noted that the premises was previously operated under a licence that was revoked on 30 July 2024, and that the applicant was believed to be connected to the previous licence holder, Mr Bilgin Redzheb. The Licensing Authority expressed concern that If the new applicant does indeed have a connection (this has traditionally been a family run business) with Mr Redzheb and the businesss, the concern is that the criminality identified at these premises will continue. The criminality referred to was the discovery of illicit tobacco products and the sale of alcohol and a disposable e-cigarette to minors.

Representations from the Police

The Metropolitan Police also made a representation in respect of the application. The Metropolitan Police did not object to the licence being granted but requested the addition of the following conditions to the licence:

• Beers, lagers, stout and ciders sold at the premises shall not exceed 6% alcohol volume.
• Spirits shall not be sold in bottles of less than 70cl.
• A CCTV system shall be installed at the premises. The CCTV system shall be maintained in working condition and record the premises 24 hours every day.
• CCTV cameras shall monitor all areas used by premises patrons including any external areas to monitor numbers and prevent crime and disorder.
• At the commencement of work security personnel shall ensure that they are recorded on the CCTV system and that a clear head and shoulders image showing their face clear of any hat, glasses or other obstruction is recorded.

These conditions were accepted by the applicant.

The sub-committee was asked to determine whether the application for a Premises Licence should be:

• granted in full
• granted in part
• or refused.